I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

My first feeling when hear this news was great sadness for many of the same reasons the OP posted. And it wasn't just the ramp up for the year - it was a hope for something that felt normal to me. I was angry and sad, but I recognized it for what it was, and I was able to find a spot of optimism in the thought that with a virtual convention, maybe I can finally hear both when I find two at the same time.

The OP is *clearly* presenting a stage of grief here and so many people in this post jumped all over him! Shame on all of you! How are you going to react to these same sorts of feeling coming at you from students for things they have to grieve in the upcoming year?

Then I read that about "ISD sponsored vacation" Wow. No ISD I ever worked for covered TBA - it was always on me and it was always worth it.

Two things I hope people actually pay attention to.

(1) I am highly recommending to all of you to read Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers." He explains much better than I will here the fact that always think we know what's going in someone else's head and we almost always wrong about it!

(2) I did watch the Plandemic video and only one statement hit me hard as 100% true - the media is driving us to hate each other. We are being primed to "stay home, stay safe" and "we're all in this together" So we come to believe that those not home aren't being safe and aren't together with us. We just demonstrated it here.

Be nice to each other, people!!! Whether or not we are in this together, we still have to share space, and we have an obligation to do it NICELY as a model to students and parents.

And your inability to look at all sides is troubling as well. How do you plan to fight bad information if you haven't viewed it? Your current tactic of name calling is troubling and just proves everything else I wrote. You have no argument, so you'll attack the person.

Previous Message

I'm ashamed of so many of these responses.

My first feeling when hear this news was great sadness for many of the same reasons the OP posted. And it wasn't just the ramp up for the year - it was a hope for something that felt normal to me. I was angry and sad, but I recognized it for what it was, and I was able to find a spot of optimism in the thought that with a virtual convention, maybe I can finally hear both when I find two at the same time.

The OP is *clearly* presenting a stage of grief here and so many people in this post jumped all over him! Shame on all of you! How are you going to react to these same sorts of feeling coming at you from students for things they have to grieve in the upcoming year?

Then I read that about "ISD sponsored vacation" Wow. No ISD I ever worked for covered TBA - it was always on me and it was always worth it.

Two things I hope people actually pay attention to.

(1) I am highly recommending to all of you to read Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers." He explains much better than I will here the fact that always think we know what's going in someone else's head and we almost always wrong about it!

(2) I did watch the Plandemic video and only one statement hit me hard as 100% true - the media is driving us to hate each other. We are being primed to "stay home, stay safe" and "we're all in this together" So we come to believe that those not home aren't being safe and aren't together with us. We just demonstrated it here.

Be nice to each other, people!!! Whether or not we are in this together, we still have to share space, and we have an obligation to do it NICELY as a model to students and parents.

In spite of what your "fair and balanced" news would have you believe, not all sides of a discussion are worth hearing. I'm not about to entertain people who are willing to entertain seditious points of view.

At the risk of Godwin's law, when discussing the holocaust, there is ZERO reason for anyone to pay attention to the views of a Neo-Nazi or a holocaust denier. Period. No matter of "looking at all sides."

Previous Message

And your inability to look at all sides is troubling as well. How do you plan to fight bad information if you haven't viewed it? Your current tactic of name calling is troubling and just proves everything else I wrote. You have no argument, so you'll attack the person.

Previous Message

I'm ashamed of so many of these responses.

My first feeling when hear this news was great sadness for many of the same reasons the OP posted. And it wasn't just the ramp up for the year - it was a hope for something that felt normal to me. I was angry and sad, but I recognized it for what it was, and I was able to find a spot of optimism in the thought that with a virtual convention, maybe I can finally hear both when I find two at the same time.

The OP is *clearly* presenting a stage of grief here and so many people in this post jumped all over him! Shame on all of you! How are you going to react to these same sorts of feeling coming at you from students for things they have to grieve in the upcoming year?

Then I read that about "ISD sponsored vacation" Wow. No ISD I ever worked for covered TBA - it was always on me and it was always worth it.

Two things I hope people actually pay attention to.

(1) I am highly recommending to all of you to read Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers." He explains much better than I will here the fact that always think we know what's going in someone else's head and we almost always wrong about it!

(2) I did watch the Plandemic video and only one statement hit me hard as 100% true - the media is driving us to hate each other. We are being primed to "stay home, stay safe" and "we're all in this together" So we come to believe that those not home aren't being safe and aren't together with us. We just demonstrated it here.

Be nice to each other, people!!! Whether or not we are in this together, we still have to share space, and we have an obligation to do it NICELY as a model to students and parents.

The fact that you willingly watched Plandemic, the most blatantly biased piece of agitprop produced since the Sandy Hook False Flag nonsense by Alex Jones, and then support any of its points, causes me to not want to listen to a thing you say.

Seriously. It's like saying "Well, I found this great information on Stormfront" or citing the Sun or World Net Daily as a reputable news source.

Previous Message

I'm ashamed of so many of these responses.

My first feeling when hear this news was great sadness for many of the same reasons the OP posted. And it wasn't just the ramp up for the year - it was a hope for something that felt normal to me. I was angry and sad, but I recognized it for what it was, and I was able to find a spot of optimism in the thought that with a virtual convention, maybe I can finally hear both when I find two at the same time.

The OP is *clearly* presenting a stage of grief here and so many people in this post jumped all over him! Shame on all of you! How are you going to react to these same sorts of feeling coming at you from students for things they have to grieve in the upcoming year?

Then I read that about "ISD sponsored vacation" Wow. No ISD I ever worked for covered TBA - it was always on me and it was always worth it.

Two things I hope people actually pay attention to.

(1) I am highly recommending to all of you to read Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers." He explains much better than I will here the fact that always think we know what's going in someone else's head and we almost always wrong about it!

(2) I did watch the Plandemic video and only one statement hit me hard as 100% true - the media is driving us to hate each other. We are being primed to "stay home, stay safe" and "we're all in this together" So we come to believe that those not home aren't being safe and aren't together with us. We just demonstrated it here.

Be nice to each other, people!!! Whether or not we are in this together, we still have to share space, and we have an obligation to do it NICELY as a model to students and parents.

Sorry this global virus has interfered with your ISD funded vacation. I've been there for 35+ years. I'm so proud of the TBA officers and staff members for making the very difficult decision to cancel the physical aspect of the convention.

Online is best at this time. Possibly you could view the videos many times and benefit from the information.

I 100% agree! You should be able to make the choice to go to TBA. Then, you can go ahead and come back to teach all of your students. Then they can go home and tell their parents/grandparents/siblings how brave their director was for going to TBA in spite of this scary hoax. When the grandparents/parents/siblings/YOUR STUDENTS start calling out sick for covid, or have to say goodbye to a loved one, I'm sure they will all be super thankful about you "getting excited" and "making your own choice" to go to this convention. After all, you're a grown adult and can make these decisions.

I'm glad the leadership of TBA made this decision, it stops people like you from making a choice that very well could jeopardize the health and safety of your students and their families. This isn't about you. Band should never be about the individual. Get over yourself.

You still have the ability to drive down the convention to see what is there. TBA is following your logic and has decided not to be there.

Previous Message

I 100% agree! You should be able to make the choice to go to TBA. Then, you can go ahead and come back to teach all of your students. Then they can go home and tell their parents/grandparents/siblings how brave their director was for going to TBA in spite of this scary hoax. When the grandparents/parents/siblings/YOUR STUDENTS start calling out sick for covid, or have to say goodbye to a loved one, I'm sure they will all be super thankful about you "getting excited" and "making your own choice" to go to this convention. After all, you're a grown adult and can make these decisions.

I'm glad the leadership of TBA made this decision, it stops people like you from making a choice that very well could jeopardize the health and safety of your students and their families. This isn't about you. Band should never be about the individual. Get over yourself.

What about the convention employees and all those businesses in San Antonio that survive because all those band directors show up? Just sayin. As you said, band should never be about the individual. But I see which side you have chosen.....

Previous Message

I 100% agree! You should be able to make the choice to go to TBA. Then, you can go ahead and come back to teach all of your students. Then they can go home and tell their parents/grandparents/siblings how brave their director was for going to TBA in spite of this scary hoax. When the grandparents/parents/siblings/YOUR STUDENTS start calling out sick for covid, or have to say goodbye to a loved one, I'm sure they will all be super thankful about you "getting excited" and "making your own choice" to go to this convention. After all, you're a grown adult and can make these decisions.

I'm glad the leadership of TBA made this decision, it stops people like you from making a choice that very well could jeopardize the health and safety of your students and their families. This isn't about you. Band should never be about the individual. Get over yourself.

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

And if we just say, "oh, well" and open back up 100% no mask, no vaccine, no social distancing, what will happen as people get sick and start having to stay home or stop going to those restaurants? We'll be right back where we started. Do you remember a few years ago when we had a flu epidemic in Texas? Some schools actually had to shut down due to not enough attendance. Luckily, my school district was spared and we made it through the year. Yes, we need to get back to normal. No, we don't need to throw caution to the wind and just go back to the way things were, right now this minute. We can keep posting stats and try to downplay all of this, but the fact remains, we have no vaccine and no proven treatment for the masses. Some do recover, but some die. Some of the recovered also have permanent lung damage and other ailments. I have found it interesting that many of the same pro-life, anti-abortion people are some of the same ones who shrug their shoulders when it comes to people dying who are already alive. And before you get your feathers ruffled, I am not aiming this at you personally. I'm just making an observation about some people in general.

Previous Message

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

Overwhelmingly nearly ALL will recover if they get it. Most will have no or mild symptoms. A few will need hospital care and even fewer will actually die with Covid though the vast majority of those actually have other issues. You are loosely and not statistically accurately using the word most.

Chances are there will never be a vaccine, (Fauci), that is effective. Some schools shut down with a bad flu outbreak. Exactly!! Not all. Some. Actually, probably a few like as in less than 10 in the entire state and probably for a week at most.

But back to my original point - how many director's households would function with no income for 6 months? Yet we expect businesses to just "hang on" till we get a handle on this when there are other ways to stay safe while not closing the world!

Previous Message

And if we just say, "oh, well" and open back up 100% no mask, no vaccine, no social distancing, what will happen as people get sick and start having to stay home or stop going to those restaurants? We'll be right back where we started. Do you remember a few years ago when we had a flu epidemic in Texas? Some schools actually had to shut down due to not enough attendance. Luckily, my school district was spared and we made it through the year. Yes, we need to get back to normal. No, we don't need to throw caution to the wind and just go back to the way things were, right now this minute. We can keep posting stats and try to downplay all of this, but the fact remains, we have no vaccine and no proven treatment for the masses. Some do recover, but some die. Some of the recovered also have permanent lung damage and other ailments. I have found it interesting that many of the same pro-life, anti-abortion people are some of the same ones who shrug their shoulders when it comes to people dying who are already alive. And before you get your feathers ruffled, I am not aiming this at you personally. I'm just making an observation about some people in general.

Previous Message

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

So, you say, "fewer will actually die". 15 May 2020 - that 'few' is now 87,603 dead Americans. What you said is really easy to say and accept, as long as you are not one of the 87,603 or one of their friends or family.

When will we stop thinking about me, me, me and think as a community of Americans? It is hard to just 'stay at home' but to save lives, we really should do it as long as we can. Yes, there is point where we will have to go back to work or lose even more. If we had any kind of leadership, we could plan this better, however, sadly we are left in a lurch.

It is like I read - "I don't ware a mask only for my protection, but for yours." It is the same about staying home. Hang in there and try to do the right thing for all citizens. Saving one life is worth it to me.

What about the 36 million people unemployed? Do you have any feelings for them or their families or just the 86k people that have died from Covid or other causes? When do you start thinking past yourself and your government paycheck?

Previous Message

So, you say, "fewer will actually die". 15 May 2020 - that 'few' is now 87,603 dead Americans. What you said is really easy to say and accept, as long as you are not one of the 87,603 or one of their friends or family.

When will we stop thinking about me, me, me and think as a community of Americans? It is hard to just 'stay at home' but to save lives, we really should do it as long as we can. Yes, there is point where we will have to go back to work or lose even more. If we had any kind of leadership, we could plan this better, however, sadly we are left in a lurch.

It is like I read - "I don't ware a mask only for my protection, but for yours." It is the same about staying home. Hang in there and try to do the right thing for all citizens. Saving one life is worth it to me.

36 million ordinary people can lose their jobs in a heartbeat, yet the government spends literally trillions of dollars to bail out companies whose executives are making million dollar salaries, yet only gives those average Americans $1200 each. $1200 times 330 million Americans is $396 billion dollars - and not every American received $1200. The stimulus bill was 2.2 TRILLION dollars. Who got the other $1.8 trillion? Why aren't those dollars going to pay salaries of the workers laid off?

Why are you STILL on the side of the corporations? THEY DO NOT VALUE PEOPLE. They value PROFIT MARGIN. And this entire epidemic should be making it OBVIOUS to EVERYONE to NOT VOTE for the BUSINESS KLEPTOCRACY anymore!

Previous Message

What about the 36 million people unemployed? Do you have any feelings for them or their families or just the 86k people that have died from Covid or other causes? When do you start thinking past yourself and your government paycheck?

Previous Message

So, you say, "fewer will actually die". 15 May 2020 - that 'few' is now 87,603 dead Americans. What you said is really easy to say and accept, as long as you are not one of the 87,603 or one of their friends or family.

When will we stop thinking about me, me, me and think as a community of Americans? It is hard to just 'stay at home' but to save lives, we really should do it as long as we can. Yes, there is point where we will have to go back to work or lose even more. If we had any kind of leadership, we could plan this better, however, sadly we are left in a lurch.

It is like I read - "I don't ware a mask only for my protection, but for yours." It is the same about staying home. Hang in there and try to do the right thing for all citizens. Saving one life is worth it to me.

The PPP should have been a single offering instead of the monstrously political CARES act. The $1,200 was not to help those that lost a job. If so, why did I get a check? The PPP should have been offered alone to every company that had to close doors to pay their employees. Why am I on the side of corporations? Because they are funding my retirement and they hire PEOPLE. Real people. Local people. Corporations aren't evil. And in fact, we saw some real leadership when a number of CEO's gave up their salaries to keep more of their employees on payroll. And then of course, we saw congress not take a paycut and even Mayor Turner when asked if he had considered it he laughed and said no, right after announcing the furlough of 3000 city workers.....

If you really cared quit using the Amazons of the world and only buy from local mom and pop shops. I am doing a LOT more of that now including groceries from locally sourced companies to every day household items and stores.

I would like to know where that money went. Some of it went to raises in congress. Who knows where else it was wasted. It should have been 100% sent to companies to keep their employees on the payroll. If that had happened, we wouldn't have had 36 million unemployed. But like all things Washington touches, they bloated it and sent it to their buddies. And that knows no side of the aisle unfortunately.......

Previous Message

36 million ordinary people can lose their jobs in a heartbeat, yet the government spends literally trillions of dollars to bail out companies whose executives are making million dollar salaries, yet only gives those average Americans $1200 each. $1200 times 330 million Americans is $396 billion dollars - and not every American received $1200. The stimulus bill was 2.2 TRILLION dollars. Who got the other $1.8 trillion? Why aren't those dollars going to pay salaries of the workers laid off?

Why are you STILL on the side of the corporations? THEY DO NOT VALUE PEOPLE. They value PROFIT MARGIN. And this entire epidemic should be making it OBVIOUS to EVERYONE to NOT VOTE for the BUSINESS KLEPTOCRACY anymore!

Previous Message

What about the 36 million people unemployed? Do you have any feelings for them or their families or just the 86k people that have died from Covid or other causes? When do you start thinking past yourself and your government paycheck?

Previous Message

So, you say, "fewer will actually die". 15 May 2020 - that 'few' is now 87,603 dead Americans. What you said is really easy to say and accept, as long as you are not one of the 87,603 or one of their friends or family.

When will we stop thinking about me, me, me and think as a community of Americans? It is hard to just 'stay at home' but to save lives, we really should do it as long as we can. Yes, there is point where we will have to go back to work or lose even more. If we had any kind of leadership, we could plan this better, however, sadly we are left in a lurch.

It is like I read - "I don't ware a mask only for my protection, but for yours." It is the same about staying home. Hang in there and try to do the right thing for all citizens. Saving one life is worth it to me.

Overwhelmingly nearly ALL will recover if they get it. Most will have no or mild symptoms. A few will need hospital care and even fewer will actually die with Covid though the vast majority of those actually have other issues. You are loosely and not statistically accurately using the word most.

Chances are there will never be a vaccine, (Fauci), that is effective. Some schools shut down with a bad flu outbreak. Exactly!! Not all. Some. Actually, probably a few like as in less than 10 in the entire state and probably for a week at most.

But back to my original point - how many director's households would function with no income for 6 months? Yet we expect businesses to just "hang on" till we get a handle on this when there are other ways to stay safe while not closing the world!

Previous Message

And if we just say, "oh, well" and open back up 100% no mask, no vaccine, no social distancing, what will happen as people get sick and start having to stay home or stop going to those restaurants? We'll be right back where we started. Do you remember a few years ago when we had a flu epidemic in Texas? Some schools actually had to shut down due to not enough attendance. Luckily, my school district was spared and we made it through the year. Yes, we need to get back to normal. No, we don't need to throw caution to the wind and just go back to the way things were, right now this minute. We can keep posting stats and try to downplay all of this, but the fact remains, we have no vaccine and no proven treatment for the masses. Some do recover, but some die. Some of the recovered also have permanent lung damage and other ailments. I have found it interesting that many of the same pro-life, anti-abortion people are some of the same ones who shrug their shoulders when it comes to people dying who are already alive. And before you get your feathers ruffled, I am not aiming this at you personally. I'm just making an observation about some people in general.

Previous Message

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

I'll believe that nearly ALL will recover when we've lived through it once. I still don't know anyone who has COVID-19. I know dozens who got the flu, and yet COVID has killed more in 6 weeks than the flu does in a bad year. My logical brain tells me that if I knew dozens who had COVID-19 we would have ten times the deaths we currently have. I'm actually all for reopening, if only it weren't for the massive number of people who don't want the government telling them to wear a mask. It's probably only 15% of the population, but they're going to fuel this virus.

Previous Message

Overwhelmingly nearly ALL will recover if they get it. Most will have no or mild symptoms. A few will need hospital care and even fewer will actually die with Covid though the vast majority of those actually have other issues. You are loosely and not statistically accurately using the word most.

Chances are there will never be a vaccine, (Fauci), that is effective. Some schools shut down with a bad flu outbreak. Exactly!! Not all. Some. Actually, probably a few like as in less than 10 in the entire state and probably for a week at most.

But back to my original point - how many director's households would function with no income for 6 months? Yet we expect businesses to just "hang on" till we get a handle on this when there are other ways to stay safe while not closing the world!

Previous Message

And if we just say, "oh, well" and open back up 100% no mask, no vaccine, no social distancing, what will happen as people get sick and start having to stay home or stop going to those restaurants? We'll be right back where we started. Do you remember a few years ago when we had a flu epidemic in Texas? Some schools actually had to shut down due to not enough attendance. Luckily, my school district was spared and we made it through the year. Yes, we need to get back to normal. No, we don't need to throw caution to the wind and just go back to the way things were, right now this minute. We can keep posting stats and try to downplay all of this, but the fact remains, we have no vaccine and no proven treatment for the masses. Some do recover, but some die. Some of the recovered also have permanent lung damage and other ailments. I have found it interesting that many of the same pro-life, anti-abortion people are some of the same ones who shrug their shoulders when it comes to people dying who are already alive. And before you get your feathers ruffled, I am not aiming this at you personally. I'm just making an observation about some people in general.

Previous Message

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

I know 1 person with Covid indirectly. I know at least 10 that are or were unemployed directly...

The numbers are there. We have lived through it, (no, it isn't done but), and the numbers support that nearly ALL will recover.

Previous Message

I'll believe that nearly ALL will recover when we've lived through it once. I still don't know anyone who has COVID-19. I know dozens who got the flu, and yet COVID has killed more in 6 weeks than the flu does in a bad year. My logical brain tells me that if I knew dozens who had COVID-19 we would have ten times the deaths we currently have. I'm actually all for reopening, if only it weren't for the massive number of people who don't want the government telling them to wear a mask. It's probably only 15% of the population, but they're going to fuel this virus.

Previous Message

Overwhelmingly nearly ALL will recover if they get it. Most will have no or mild symptoms. A few will need hospital care and even fewer will actually die with Covid though the vast majority of those actually have other issues. You are loosely and not statistically accurately using the word most.

Chances are there will never be a vaccine, (Fauci), that is effective. Some schools shut down with a bad flu outbreak. Exactly!! Not all. Some. Actually, probably a few like as in less than 10 in the entire state and probably for a week at most.

But back to my original point - how many director's households would function with no income for 6 months? Yet we expect businesses to just "hang on" till we get a handle on this when there are other ways to stay safe while not closing the world!

Previous Message

And if we just say, "oh, well" and open back up 100% no mask, no vaccine, no social distancing, what will happen as people get sick and start having to stay home or stop going to those restaurants? We'll be right back where we started. Do you remember a few years ago when we had a flu epidemic in Texas? Some schools actually had to shut down due to not enough attendance. Luckily, my school district was spared and we made it through the year. Yes, we need to get back to normal. No, we don't need to throw caution to the wind and just go back to the way things were, right now this minute. We can keep posting stats and try to downplay all of this, but the fact remains, we have no vaccine and no proven treatment for the masses. Some do recover, but some die. Some of the recovered also have permanent lung damage and other ailments. I have found it interesting that many of the same pro-life, anti-abortion people are some of the same ones who shrug their shoulders when it comes to people dying who are already alive. And before you get your feathers ruffled, I am not aiming this at you personally. I'm just making an observation about some people in general.

Previous Message

You obviously understand very little about business or the Convention business. It isn't just TBA. There are lots of conventions being cancelled. SA thrives on that industry. Casa Rio won't go out because TBA didn't show up. But if nobody shows up for 6 months or a 12 months EVERYONE will go out. Tell me how well your household budget would run with $0 coming in for 6 months....

Maybe you have an "emergency" fund that would get you through. I do too. And while I could trim things down and probably last 12 months without a paycheck it would be a very slow return to life once a paycheck did come back. I wouldn't just be able to suddenly restock my fridge. There would be a ton of things that went by the wayside, (car maintenance, home maintenance, health maintenance, cell phone, and everything else that is a luxury expense), that would have to start to ramp back up. You think those businesses will just throw open their doors and be ready to work after 6 months? Is their rent stopping? Is there insurance dropping on their building? Have they stopped paying taxes or utilities? The restaurant industry operates at very small margins. They don't just have cash sitting around. You need to step out of the classroom on occasion.

As long as we "wait" for safety which is not guaranteed then more and more "for lease" signs will start to show up. I know I'm screaming to deaf ears but the trickle down is going to suck. As unemployment rises and our number of days in the classroom drops more and more families will find themselves without discretionary income to spend on instruments or band fees. We all need people to be safe but we need this to stop and we need people to get back out and working and living or teachers will not be exempt from the unemployment lines!

Previous Message

What about the fact that it's not TBA that is going to keep those people employed? There are dozens of conventions in San Antonio every day, and only ONE convention being cancelled wouldn't cause Casa Rio to go out of business.

Furthermore, if they're that close to going under with the loss of one convention's income, perhaps the place should've gone under already - oh wait - they're "too big to fail" and need a bailout.

Okay, I did. 2019-2020 estimate 24,000-62,000 that's a pretty wide range and is not based on reported deaths, but on a mathematical model. It's also a 95% UI, which means (correct me if you took stats more recently than me) we can say with 95% certainty that no fewer than 24,000 and no greater than 62,000 deaths. Let's compare the previous years estimates: 2018-2019 95% UI (26,339-52,664) estimate: 34,157 2017-2018 (46,000-95,000) estimate: 61,000 a very bad year! 2016-2017 (29,000-61,000) estimate: 38,000 Estimates from previous years: 2015-2016 23,000 2014-2015 51,000 2013-2014 38,000 2012-2013 43,000 2011-2012 12,000 2010-2011 37,000 Average of those years is around 37,000. So I'll say it again, in 6 weeks this disease killed more than twice the number the flu does in an average year, with nowhere near the number of infections. Way more than the worst year for flu even. There is no COVID-shot There is no TamiCOVID There is no heard of people who were already immune.

Previous Message

look up on your phone how many died of flu last year. You may be surprised.

FWIW.. nowhere near as deadly as "the worst year for flu" as you put it.

Educate yourself.

(Yes, I'm on your side, here - COVID is much more serious than some people want to admit - but dial back your rhetoric)

Previous Message

Okay, I did. 2019-2020 estimate 24,000-62,000 that's a pretty wide range and is not based on reported deaths, but on a mathematical model . It's also a 95% UI, which means (correct me if you took stats more recently than me) we can say with 95% certainty that no fewer than 24,000 and no greater than 62,000 deaths. Let's compare the previous years estimates: 2018-2019 95% UI (26,339-52,664) estimate: 34,157 2017-2018 (46,000-95,000) estimate: 61,000 a very bad year! 2016-2017 (29,000-61,000) estimate: 38,000 Estimates from previous years: 2015-2016 23,000 2014-2015 51,000 2013-2014 38,000 2012-2013 43,000 2011-2012 12,000 2010-2011 37,000 Average of those years is around 37,000. So I'll say it again, in 6 weeks this disease killed more than twice the number the flu does in an average year, with nowhere near the number of infections. Way more than the worst year for flu even. There is no COVID-shot There is no TamiCOVID There is no heard of people who were already immune.

Previous Message

look up on your phone how many died of flu last year. You may be surprised.

Badly worded. I cited 10 years worth of data that were available on the CDC website. Way worse than any of those. (I found another source going back to 1976 when I was born. Way worse than any of those). It's also worse than any flu since my great-great grandparents were kids. The only year that is close is the Asian Flu in the 1950s. The point is it's bad and it's still got a long way to go before we know how bad.

Previous Message

FWIW.. nowhere near as deadly as "the worst year for flu" as you put it.

Educate yourself.

(Yes, I'm on your side, here - COVID is much more serious than some people want to admit - but dial back your rhetoric)

Previous Message

Okay, I did. 2019-2020 estimate 24,000-62,000 that's a pretty wide range and is not based on reported deaths, but on a mathematical model . It's also a 95% UI, which means (correct me if you took stats more recently than me) we can say with 95% certainty that no fewer than 24,000 and no greater than 62,000 deaths. Let's compare the previous years estimates: 2018-2019 95% UI (26,339-52,664) estimate: 34,157 2017-2018 (46,000-95,000) estimate: 61,000 a very bad year! 2016-2017 (29,000-61,000) estimate: 38,000 Estimates from previous years: 2015-2016 23,000 2014-2015 51,000 2013-2014 38,000 2012-2013 43,000 2011-2012 12,000 2010-2011 37,000 Average of those years is around 37,000. So I'll say it again, in 6 weeks this disease killed more than twice the number the flu does in an average year, with nowhere near the number of infections. Way more than the worst year for flu even. There is no COVID-shot There is no TamiCOVID There is no heard of people who were already immune.

Previous Message

look up on your phone how many died of flu last year. You may be surprised.

It's not BS, it's business. If you get out of your circle of influence, your friends that think this is overblown, your news channel of choice that thinks it's overblown... if you just talk to different people, like me. I'm a moderate, almost dead center (I voted for Obama once and against him once). I've never had a flu shot as an adult. I'm just not concerned about the idea that I might get the flu. I don't like people trying to control me and as a result, I treat the kids like people. I respect them and they respect me. None of this is important, I just really want you to know that I don't stress out about most things. This is different. I used to eat out at least one meal per day, usually two. I'm not eating out, not seeing friends, not visiting family. I would normally buy groceries 1-2 days at a time (I live right by a grocery store). Now I've got 3-4 weeks of food at all times because I want to limit trips to the store. Now you can say I'm living in fear, or hiding, or whatever, but the point is there are MILLIONS of people, MILLIONS of them who feel the same way. That's why it's business. TBA, TODA, TCDA could not make enough money this year because people like me were not going to risk it. I'll go into my school, I'll teach my same 150 kids and hope for the best, but I'm not going to gather with thousands of others. I'm still waiting for that summer heat to make it go away. Logic tells me that if Iran, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, India can be having outbreaks, maybe we can't count on the heat to save us. Maybe we'll learn something from Russia. They've gone from 2000 to 240,000 cases in 6 weeks, and Putin's decided it's time to go back to work. So we can watch from afar and see how that goes. Balls? It took balls to close the CSU system for the fall. It took balls (premature in my opinion) for Ohio to cancel their all-state concert for next year. It doesn't take balls to hope that everything will just work out.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Well, Mr. 1990, since I started teaching, the world has never been closed, USA run by "something else", & no DCI, sports, concerts, or grungy bar punk rock shows. The world is forever changed, deal with it.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I stand with TBA. Even as painful as it might seem to you and as pissed as you are this is the right decision for people. Feel free to visit SA during that time.

Tim

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

You really need to grow up. You sound like a child crying about their spilled milk!

I have traveled the world on concert tours many times and you (yes, YOU) are the reason they think Americans are stupid, rude and irresponsible.

Which side to stand on? Really? I would suggest you ask one of the more than 80,000 Americans that have lost their life to the COVID-19. Oh wait! You can't because THEY ARE DEAD.

It is so sad that you, as well as others on this site, are a teacher. I am so happy that none of my children will never... ever... have to be exposed to such a childish 'teacher'. If it takes a convention to get you excited about teaching, you really need to find another job...REALLY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER JOB!

Did you even once consider the result of just 1 person walking around the convention center that has COVID-19? "Why can't everyone make their decision"? Well, some people with real leadership skills made a decision! They decided it is best to not take the chance of causing the death of even one child (that does NOT go to TBA - but you, YES YOU, transport the virus back to your school and community.)

You really need to grow up. You sound like a child crying about their spilled milk!

I have traveled the world on concert tours many times and you (yes, YOU) are the reason they think Americans are stupid, rude and irresponsible.

Which side to stand on? Really? I would suggest you ask one of the more than 80,000 Americans that have lost their life to the COVID-19. Oh wait! You can't because THEY ARE DEAD.

It is so sad that you, as well as others on this site, are a teacher. I am so happy that none of my children will never... ever... have to be exposed to such a childish 'teacher'. If it takes a convention to get you excited about teaching, you really need to find another job...REALLY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER JOB!

Did you even once consider the result of just 1 person walking around the convention center that has COVID-19? "Why can't everyone make their decision"? Well, some people with real leadership skills made a decision! They decided it is best to not take the chance of causing the death of even one child (that does NOT go to TBA - but you, YES YOU, transport the virus back to your school and community.)

If we assume you are completely correct and adopt your mentality, we'd better never go out in public again. The flu has already caused 62,000 American deaths in 2020, and we've been quarantined this year. So 85% as many have died from the flu as have died from COVID-19 in the United States in the same amount of time, despite predictions that COVID-19 would cause 20 times the amount of deaths as the flu. 85% is a pretty high percentage!

I have students that come to school sick all the time because their parents refuse to let them miss school so should the government step in and force them to be quarantined? At some point, we either must live our lives or not live them. I would prefer to have that choice...wait...isn't that assured by our Constitution?!

Previous Message

You really need to grow up. You sound like a child crying about their spilled milk!

I have traveled the world on concert tours many times and you (yes, YOU) are the reason they think Americans are stupid, rude and irresponsible.

Which side to stand on? Really? I would suggest you ask one of the more than 80,000 Americans that have lost their life to the COVID-19. Oh wait! You can't because THEY ARE DEAD.

It is so sad that you, as well as others on this site, are a teacher. I am so happy that none of my children will never... ever... have to be exposed to such a childish 'teacher'. If it takes a convention to get you excited about teaching, you really need to find another job...REALLY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER JOB!

Did you even once consider the result of just 1 person walking around the convention center that has COVID-19? "Why can't everyone make their decision"? Well, some people with real leadership skills made a decision! They decided it is best to not take the chance of causing the death of even one child (that does NOT go to TBA - but you, YES YOU, transport the virus back to your school and community.)

"The flu has already caused 62,000 American deaths in 2020, and we've been quarantined this year."

No it hasn't. And the masks/social distance only started at the very end of flu season.

"So 85% as many have died from the flu as have died from COVID-19 in the United States in the same amount of time, despite predictions that COVID-19 would cause 20 times the amount of deaths as the flu."

You missed the line that says those are flu estimates for the 2019-2020 season! Flu estimate: (24,000)-62,000 over the past 226 days. That's an average of 274/day with between 39 and 59 million total cases. COVID: 86,900 over the past 74 days (March 1) That's an average of 1,174/day with 1.5 million confirmed cases (maybe 10-15 mil. actual? - I don't know when they'll come up with an estimate like they do with flu). That's more than 4 times the daily death rate with a fraction of the number of cases.

Flu season is over. The people in charge told me that COVID would die down in the warmer months, yet a million active cases remain. I don't mind the comparisons with the flu, lets just make sure we're looking at the same time-frame. Also COVID-19 deaths are based on reported numbers while flu deaths are based on a mathematical model.

Previous Message

If we assume you are completely correct and adopt your mentality, we'd better never go out in public again. The flu has already caused 62,000 American deaths in 2020, and we've been quarantined this year. So 85% as many have died from the flu as have died from COVID-19 in the United States in the same amount of time, despite predictions that COVID-19 would cause 20 times the amount of deaths as the flu. 85% is a pretty high percentage!

I have students that come to school sick all the time because their parents refuse to let them miss school so should the government step in and force them to be quarantined? At some point, we either must live our lives or not live them. I would prefer to have that choice...wait...isn't that assured by our Constitution?!

Previous Message

You really need to grow up. You sound like a child crying about their spilled milk!

I have traveled the world on concert tours many times and you (yes, YOU) are the reason they think Americans are stupid, rude and irresponsible.

Which side to stand on? Really? I would suggest you ask one of the more than 80,000 Americans that have lost their life to the COVID-19. Oh wait! You can't because THEY ARE DEAD.

It is so sad that you, as well as others on this site, are a teacher. I am so happy that none of my children will never... ever... have to be exposed to such a childish 'teacher'. If it takes a convention to get you excited about teaching, you really need to find another job...REALLY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER JOB!

Did you even once consider the result of just 1 person walking around the convention center that has COVID-19? "Why can't everyone make their decision"? Well, some people with real leadership skills made a decision! They decided it is best to not take the chance of causing the death of even one child (that does NOT go to TBA - but you, YES YOU, transport the virus back to your school and community.)

Not hiding in the closet, just taking responsibility. I am not willing to take the chance of infecting another human, nor being infected. I respect life and chose to be responsible. Are you willing to accept that you could be the cause of the death of another human? ..the death of one of your students or a member of their family?

It is not up to you to simply 'chose' because your irresponsible actions could very well lead to a tragic end. More than 84,000 dead Americans. I survived Vietnam, I know the value of life and I know how the lose of a friend or loved one will change you - forever!

Are you willing to accept that you could be the cause of death of another human when you drive a car?

Previous Message

Not hiding in the closet, just taking responsibility. I am not willing to take the chance of infecting another human, nor being infected. I respect life and chose to be responsible. Are you willing to accept that you could be the cause of the death of another human? ..the death of one of your students or a member of their family?

It is not up to you to simply 'chose' because your irresponsible actions could very well lead to a tragic end. More than 84,000 dead Americans. I survived Vietnam, I know the value of life and I know how the lose of a friend or loved one will change you - forever!

Well, since I took a 20 hour drivers ed course, spent a year with a learners permit, passed a written test, and a driving test and have been ticketed and fined when I ďforgotĒ the rules, yes Iím comfortable with that. Now if you take a 6 hour course on the spread of infectious disease, pass a written test, pass a ďdrivingĒ test (have someone evaluate your social distancing choices in real world scenarios), and youíre willing to be ticketed if you make choices that put others at risk, then okay. Iím comfortable with you being out in public right now.

Previous Message

Are you willing to accept that you could be the cause of death of another human when you drive a car?

Previous Message

Not hiding in the closet, just taking responsibility. I am not willing to take the chance of infecting another human, nor being infected. I respect life and chose to be responsible. Are you willing to accept that you could be the cause of the death of another human? ..the death of one of your students or a member of their family?

It is not up to you to simply 'chose' because your irresponsible actions could very well lead to a tragic end. More than 84,000 dead Americans. I survived Vietnam, I know the value of life and I know how the lose of a friend or loved one will change you - forever!

And I am sure the cancellations will keep coming. I'm tired of it as well. I think it's overreacting and a little ridiculous. But they have started down that road so now they will continue down it. I'm with ya on letting people make their own decisions. Just wait - this isn't done yet and I don't mean the virus. I mean the people in power trying to protect us from ourselves.... My child is so done with this crap. She just wants to go to school..... And she's in HS!

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Your contract days are about to get cut so let's see how "me, me, me" the rest of us are when it gets personal for you. At the point the "cancel culture" completely changes education for next year we will find ourselves expendable! We all need to start hoping and pushing for as much as normal as possible or there will be irreparable damage to the way we do things and not in a good way!

Previous Message

Grow up.

This kind of response is why many around the world label all of us as "stupid Americans".

Just wait. The more they keep talking the more likely it will be. Remember, stipends are for the extra time after school and on weekends, (or that's what my admin always says when they tell us we should be doing sectionals 5 days a week). If after school and weekends go away, you are no more than any other teacher in the building and most teachers don't get stipends. Extended contracts? Why do you need a contract that starts in July if you can't have band camp? Same with coaches. No sports means they lose their stipends too. We're all in this together - remember. That's what the tv keeps saying....

I hope not - but be prepared.

Previous Message

Prove it.

Prove contract days will get cut. Prove any of the chicken little going on.

I'm not sure what "band camps" you know of that are still going on, but I found exactly ONE camp still open in Texas, and one leadership institute. ONE CAMP.

Please get over yourself. Yes, this past few months is stressful and inconvenient. You know what's more stressful and inconvenient? Getting COVID. Let's prevent that as much as possible.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Thank you, guys! Some of your comments have made me laugh and feel better! I really needed that. I agree with most of your statements (even the sarcastic ones), and I know that the almighty dollar drives everything. That was the purpose of combining with TODA and TCDA in the first place. Vendors didn't want to pay to stay in the convention center so long. One person said something about next year.

I'm actually more concerned for the future. I have seen some states are planning to start school online. Now T.B.A. is going online. I'm afraid after this, our summer convention will be a thing of the past. I'll be really surprised if vendors readily jump back on next year after this hiatus. I know of two that were going to be there this year that have now said with it being cancelled, they don't think attendance will make it worth it in the future. I'm just afraid this decision will have dire future consequences that may or may not have been considered.

I don't feel that old at 52, and I embrace technology. I always have. However, I still remember learning to be a better band director from my first few years hanging out at the coffee room at Caldwell Music in Abilene with all the "wealth of knowledge" band directors. That doesn't even happen anymore. Heck, I remember taking a trolly from the convention center to the T.B.A. BBQ at the old brewery. I guess I am getting old.

Personally, I've learned lots from Zoom meetings and other virtual clinics, and I will continue to take advantage of that. However, I just didn't want to lose the actual face-to-face time at the convention, catching up with and learning from friends, hearing bands perform new music in person, seeing new things in the convention center and visiting with the vendors in person, selecting music in person instead of talking to an idiot on the phone that doesn't understand the difference in a score for a UIL piece of music for contest and a universal band score (if you're curious, ask the band director at Ft. Stockton-HAHA).

Some have suggested I go on to San Antonio during that time. My wife always comes with me and does the spouse stuff, too. However, I'm not used to paying for the hotel, paying for my meals, and paying for my transportation because I've always taught at schools that provide that for me. I'm not sure if I can afford that, but even if I did, it wouldn't be nearly the same.

Again, thank you all for letting me vent!

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

"Even if the governmental authorities later ease restrictions to allow convention gatherings, which we do not expect to occur..."

Remember that this is San Antonio, whose city government has in recent history banned Chick-fil-a from the airport and made saying 'Chinese virus' a hate crime. The chances they would allow a convention at the Henry B.? Less than Henry B being convicted of punching a guy during breakfast for calling him a communist.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I'm really sorry you've been inconvenienced. But if TBA were to have happened, and they take a major loss (due to the few vendors they do have left backing out), you wouldn't have TBA ever again...then you would be SUPER PISSED OFF and be back right here wasting our work time reading how PISSED OFF YOU ARE!!!

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Almost every year I have parents complain about paying for private lessons but don't think their kid is getting any better.

My response: imagine what they would sound like without the help......

We can complain all day about overreacting. But here's the reality. In the end we will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough.

Previous Message

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

We will? And what is your barometer on if we didn't do enough? Just what is enough in your mind? What would make you say at the end of this - "we did the right thing"

Previous Message

Almost every year I have parents complain about paying for private lessons but don't think their kid is getting any better.

My response: imagine what they would sound like without the help......

We can complain all day about overreacting. But here's the reality. In the end we will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough.

Previous Message

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

We will? And what is your barometer on if we didn't do enough? Just what is enough in your mind? What would make you say at the end of this - "we did the right thing"

Previous Message

Almost every year I have parents complain about paying for private lessons but don't think their kid is getting any better.

My response: imagine what they would sound like without the help......

We can complain all day about overreacting. But here's the reality. In the end we will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough.

Previous Message

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Apparently HMMMM can since they were the ones that said, "We will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough". I just want to know how they define the "not doing enough".

And I would argue, (a different rabbit trail), that we aren't managing risks effectively. But the real reason for my asking the question is I want to know how that individual defines "not enough".

Previous Message

Can you look into two alternate realties at the same time?

No one can.

The only thing you can mange is risk.

Previous Message

We will? And what is your barometer on if we didn't do enough? Just what is enough in your mind? What would make you say at the end of this - "we did the right thing"

Previous Message

Almost every year I have parents complain about paying for private lessons but don't think their kid is getting any better.

My response: imagine what they would sound like without the help......

We can complain all day about overreacting. But here's the reality. In the end we will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough.

Previous Message

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Apparently HMMMM can since they were the ones that said, "We will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough". I just want to know how they define the "not doing enough".

And I would argue, (a different rabbit trail), that we aren't managing risks effectively. But the real reason for my asking the question is I want to know how that individual defines "not enough".

Previous Message

Can you look into two alternate realties at the same time?

No one can.

The only thing you can mange is risk.

Previous Message

We will? And what is your barometer on if we didn't do enough? Just what is enough in your mind? What would make you say at the end of this - "we did the right thing"

Previous Message

Almost every year I have parents complain about paying for private lessons but don't think their kid is getting any better.

My response: imagine what they would sound like without the help......

We can complain all day about overreacting. But here's the reality. In the end we will never know if we did too much but we will definitely know if we didn't do enough.

Previous Message

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

Here is my source. Itís much more reliable than any article that can be loaded with fear. My sister has been a nurse for 30 years and is currently the head nurse at a major San Antonio hospital. Neither she nor her family quarantined. They donít wear masks or gloves anywhere. Theyíve had gatherings and attended gatherings through this whole ordeal. She thinks itís political and overblown. My niece is a nurse in the Covid ward of a Houston hospital. She makes sure she is clean when she leaves work and she showers immediately when she gets home. She didnít quarantine. She gathers with friends and has attended gatherings. She also thinks itís an overblown man made crisis. The disease is real but not so serious that we need to close down the world. My sons best friends father is a pediatrician with three children at home. Heís had neighborhood kids over and his kids have gone to neighbors homes throughout this entire thing. He thinks this entire thing is blown out of proportion and predicts that it will ďConveniently come backĒ in October to influence the election. My family doctor has largely done the same thing. He too believes that this is a ďPanic-DemicĒ One of my students dad has been an ER doctor for 25 years. His kids were at neighbors houses and the neighbor kids were all over at his house throughout the entire ordeal. My point: I can read an article that may or may not have factual, beneficial information. Or I can watch the BEHAVIOR of people that know and have real life experience in science and medicine. I CERTAINLY will not listen to the opinion of a BAND DIRECTOR.

Previous Message

Can you link your source that 98%+ fully recover? I was under the impression that ~98% don't die, but many of those survivors could have long-term respiratory and/or cardiac damage.

Iím fed up with the sheep mentality. We will look back and roll our eyes on this time in history. People are NOT dropping dead in the streets. 98+% recover fully. This is NOT something that requires all these shut downs. Iím actually embarrassed for us.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

You are just a band director. A group of professionals in the medical field doesnít take this seriously but Iím supposed to think theyíre dumb because someone who can maybe tune a clarinet or fix spacing in a marching form thinks theyíre stupid? This is why I rarely waste my time on here anymore.

Most peer-reviewed research is funded by the pharmaceutical and big name medical companies themselves. Very little is funded by the government. Their ďrealĒ numbers and ďscienceĒ are often biased towards the product they want to push.

Right, but as a responsible consumer of news/information, shouldn't you have a basic obligation to digest information, consider the source, and make an evaluation on whether or not it's valid? It's a sad truth in contemporary American society that most people really don't think about the source of the news they're getting and the biases implicit in that. People like to paint with these huge "good channel vs. bad channel" brush strokes and fail to actually take any thought to evaluate anything. That's a different topic altogether (especially given the fact that a subset of current politicians are actively changing society's relationship with the very concept of news and journalism), but there parallels between that and reading research should be obvious.

Sure, studies with questionable conclusions exist in all fields. But surely one must stop and think "huh, that's odd" when a large portion of a particular community are finding things that are pointing towards a certain set of conclusions. Vetting research is a similar process as vetting news. You can't really expect to flip on a single news channel and take everything they say at face value, right?

You're right. Bias exists in both journalism and research without a doubt. But no, that is not an excuse to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It just means we must be extra diligent about processing information.

That said, in addition to the four linked articles, there are several more with supporting conclusions that I won't take the time to link. The research is happening all over the world, and there seems to be a consensus that there can be long term effects to COVID. Of course, the severity and scope of that remain to be seen.

Part of what I suspect is happening is related to fear. Just like with other world-scale events, there is no going back to normal after this. There was a "Pre-9/11" world and a "Post-9/11" world, I believe the same will be true with COVID. We're scared (and have every right to be) that our roles will be diminished in the "Post-COVID" world since so much of what we do is dependent on face to face time. I also think that people try to tune out or downplay the severity of COVID related news in an "out of sight, out of mind" type of coping mechanism. It was easy to not be up in arms about the PATRIOT act and to adjust to our new 9/11 normal since we could so clearly see the event that caused it all. But we can't as easily see the effects of COVID, so it's often easier to put up a mental wall and just say it's not there.

Ironically, I think the people calling others sheep are the most scared of them all.

Previous Message

Most peer-reviewed research is funded by the pharmaceutical and big name medical companies themselves. Very little is funded by the government. Their ďrealĒ numbers and ďscienceĒ are often biased towards the product they want to push.

Right, but we don't know the circumstances of this. It could be that the plan was for everyone to make their own decision, but enough vendors backed out to make it financially impossible to actually make it happen. Maybe enough clinicians backed out to force their hand?

Sorry you don't get to go, but at least they're still trying to do something.

As an aside, I didn't know anyone was actually mad TBA combined with TODA and TCDA? It was actually sort of nice that it got a bit more away from the "good-ol-boys" club vibe.

TODA, TCDA and TBA have separate conventions and only share an exhibit hall and possibly a registration area. You are correct, no sensible person was mad that it was decided that the three organizations hold their conventions at the same time. In fact, other conventions were held at the same time as TBA in the past before the music ones were held together. Unlike the past, it's a big convention center and more than one convention can be run at once.

I remember a year when we had the 3 music group conventions as well as the state coaches convention at the same time that was in the older part that has been torn down.

Previous Message

TODA, TCDA and TBA have separate conventions and only share an exhibit hall and possibly a registration area. You are correct, no sensible person was mad that it was decided that the three organizations hold their conventions at the same time. In fact, other conventions were held at the same time as TBA in the past before the music ones were held together. Unlike the past, it's a big convention center and more than one convention can be run at once.

If you are this upset why not just keep your hotel reservation, drive down to S.A., attend the virtual convention, eat at Mi Tierra, have a drink at Bar Rojo, eat at Mi Tierra again, and have yourself a good time?

Here's what I'm guessing. Just guessing, but I'm dealing with a similar situation.

Vendors have been asking them to make a decision. Some have probably already pulled out. Some of them don't want to risk the travel, or even if they're comfortable traveling they don't want to spend the money and time if attendance will be low. TBA attendance has already been dropping for years, and the exhibit hall has been smaller and emptier every year.

Attendees have been asking them for information, or asking for refunds. They don't want to travel, they don't feel safe, or they just don't know what's expected of them this fall and don't want to commit to a trip at the end of July. At one point, our district had re-scheduled graduation to that Saturday and was expecting me to have the band there.

Maybe the city/county/state officials have shared some "unofficial" information or hinted at things to come. Our district admins always seem to know at least a week in advance what the county is going to announce. More than once they've given me advance warning in a private off-the-record conversation.

Maybe TBA has some contracts with a 60 day withdrawal clause. Perhaps at this point, they can still get out of the contracts, but if they wait another week or two they're on the hook for the full amount. With vendors pulling out, attendees asking for refunds, and likely lower income from on-site registration, paying for the convention could easily bankrupt the whole organization.

TBA made a business decision. It has nothing to do with their "balls" or lack thereof. You can still go down and eat some overpriced tex-mex while sweating by the river if you really want to.

Look at it from the perspective of an organization planning a convention that barely breaks even, and relies on vendors to bring in enough to keep operating. Can't be sure how many people will preregister to go. I'd be willing to bet that preregistration is way down. If things are still iffy, I'd suspect on site registration would be way down as well. Being an exhibitor at TBA has become less and less financially viable. The smaller vendors are almost gone. If you are looking at travel, housing, etc. for a convention that may have half the attendance when it was a so so event for you already, I'd guess exhibitors were already canceling/not registering.

While I agree with you about overreaction, I'm betting this is much more of a financial decision than a health decision.

Previous Message

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

I am SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW! I am sick of all this COVID-19 crap! I know of Band Camps that are happening the second week in June, but we can't have convention by the end of JULY?!?!?! Why can't we, as individuals, make the decision on whether we want to go or not?! Why can't vendors decide if they want to go or not?! Why can't everyone make their decision of which side they stand on this subject? I sincerely doubt I am the only person that planned to go to T.B.A. at this point!

I don't normally get on here and rant, but since I started teaching in 1990, I have not missed one T.B.A. convention. I was upset when they combined it with choir and orchestra, though I understood why; but this one just ends it all. This would have been my 30th T.B.A. convention to attend. I count on these to get me pumped up and ready to go every year. I remember when I used to pick my shows at T.B.A. Now I have my camp 1 week before it. I know things have changed, and I can roll with some changes. I need my T.B.A. fix!

Now, I've already paid my membership and registration, and I get NOTHING for it. I don't want more virtual stuff. I've had my fill of that the last 6 weeks. Maybe it's time for me to retire and get into a job where the upper people making decisions have some BALLS! I sincerely hope my message is pushing boundaries too far, but I just needed a place to relieve stress by ranting. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.